Today's decision by the NHTSA marks a transition from V2V research to taking the next steps toward actual implementation in new vehicles

It's been decided that vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, which allow cars and trucks to "talk" with one another and their surroundings, will move from just research to actual implementation thanks to a recent approval.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to put V2V technology in all new cars and trucks as a way of avoiding traffic accidents and fatalities. For example, your car could let you know that another vehicle ahead is about to blow through a stop sign in an attempt to avoid a crash.

Research regarding V2V communications has been ongoing for quite some time now. Ten major automakers and technology companies have been working with NHTSA’s Connected Vehicle Research Program since 2012 in a V2V pilot study in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for example.

But today's decision by the NHTSA marks a transition from V2V research to taking the next steps toward actual implementation in new vehicles.

Automakers like Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota have all started developing some type of V2V technology, but NHTSA's new push for making such technology required in new vehicles will likely put forward some sort of standard to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that vehicles from different automakers can communicate with one another effectively.

Automakers have voiced concerns in the past regarding V2V communications, saying that such technology could add thousands of dollars to the price tags of new vehicles, making them more difficult to sell.

But the overall sentiment is that the technology can save lives. According to DOT, V2V could prevent 70 to 80 percent of vehicle crashes involving unimpaired drivers, which could help prevent thousands of deaths and injuries on U.S. roads annually.

The tech uses a 360-degree view of a vehicle’s surroundings, allowing the car to detect what the driver cannot. A dedicated short range radio network is also used to allow vehicles to communicate with each other up to 300 yards away.

"Vehicle-to-vehicle technology represents the next generation of auto safety improvements, building on the life-saving achievements we've already seen with safety belts and air bags," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "By helping drivers avoid crashes, this technology will play a key role in improving the way people get where they need to go while ensuring that the U.S. remains the leader in the global automotive industry."

The DOT and NHTSA have not yet set forth an exact date for when vehicles will be required to implement V2V technology.

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